U.S. names training camp squad ahead of key WCQs

Midfielder Christian Pulisic (white jersey) was called up for the USA’s lasttwo CONCACAF final-round qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in October 2017. (Photo: Mexsport)

CHICAGO – United States head coach Bruce Arena named Sunday a 26-man roster for a training camp ahead of his team’s last pair of matches in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Americans (2W-3D-3L, 9 points, GD+1) occupy fourth place in the Hexagonal standings, but -- depending the result between host Costa Rica (4-3-1, 15) and visiting Honduras (2-3-3, 9, -7) -- could potentially leapfrog over third-place Panama (2-4-2, 10) by defeating it on October 6 in Orlando. Four days later, the U.S. will face host Trinidad & Tobago (1-0-7, 3) in Couva

The squad features midfielder Christian Pulisic, who has two goals in seven games during the current German Bundelsliga season for Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year-old has been involved in nine of the USA’s 12 goals in Hexagonal play.

Forward Jozy Altidore has five career WCQ goals against Trinidad & Tobago and also earned a call-up.

"It's a roster we've selected that we believe will give us success in these next two games. We have a pretty balanced roster with experienced players," Arena said. "The players always give the commitment, that's never an issue. The issue is whether we get the results we need, and I think we're positioned to do that.”